Volunteering is great for meeting new people and improving your CV. In addition, volunteering can enhance your studies and give you real knowledge of your local community and the causes you care about. There are so many positives to volunteering, so check out the opportunities available and discover ways to get involved in the local community!
Volunteering Opportunities
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If you would like to enquire or apply for any of the following volunteering vacancies, please Cc studentsunion@bpc.ac.uk into your application emails. We are also here if you would like any support with your applications and are always happy to help if you have any questions!
Community Action Network provides support for organisations in the voluntary and community sector in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. CAN has a wide range of volunteering opportunities to get involved with, including roles to help throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the #TogetherWeCan campaign. You can find out about the Pen Pal Project below, or you can visit the website here to find out what other volunteering opportunities are available in the local area: https://www.can100.org/Pages/Category/interested-in-volunteering.
Yours Sincerely Pen Pal Project: Yours Sincerely is a pen pal scheme for young volunteers and the isolated elderly in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. It was devised during the first lockdown by local 14-18 year old’s, to tackle the loneliness that they and older people experience. Young people have an opportunity to stay engaged and the elderly connected. The project aims to bring ‘sunshine in an envelope’ with letters, cards, and small items (art, poems etc.) sent through the post or by email. Once participants are signed up and matched, all correspondents is sent via Community Action Network and checked before being sent on (no addresses are shared). Young people also attended a ‘weekly working meeting’ where they learn about the projects progress, share feedback, and discuss issues.
For further details, contact their Instagram Account @_yours__sincerely_ or via email: ys@can100.org
Project Coordinator: Dani
Healthwatch Dorset is the county’s independent health and care champion. Staff and volunteers are there to listen to people’s feedback on local health services and to hear what improvements could be made. The feedback is taken to decision-making organisations, to see how they can make a difference and help improve health and care services across the county.
Healthwatch Dorset has a wide variety of volunteering opportunities available, including:
Young Listener: Healthwatch Dorset are recruiting and training a group of volunteer Young Listeners aged 16 to 25, to talk to other young people about their experiences of health and care services – the good and the bad – and their thoughts on how these services could do things differently. The Young Listeners will work with young people in environments where they feel comfortable and confident to express themselves, for example through schools, sports clubs and youth clubs. They will ask questions and listen to what young people have to say. They will record this feedback to share with those who make decisions, about how to develop and improve services in Dorset.
Content Creators: Healthwatch Dorset are looking for volunteers to help them create content based on their 2021 workplan and campaigns calendar, picking awareness days or weeks that have a significant relevance to you or that you take an interest in. You will be supported 1 on 1 with our Volunteer Coordinator, to help create articles to be published across social media and their website, which is also shared in their extended network.
Feedback Collectors: Healthwatch Dorset are looking for a team of 'feedback collectors', to gather people's views that have been left on the internet. This is a virtual volunteering role, that can be done entirely from home.
Data Analysts: Working closely with the team and using the data gathered from the Feedback Collectors, Healthwatch Dorset need data analysists to help them look for trends and patterns in different health and social care services across Dorset, to help shape them based on what people are really saying.
Telephone Interviewers: Healthwatch Dorset need a team of chatty people who would be happy to contact discharged patients from the A&E departments, in several hospitals across the Dorset county. You will be provided with full training, one on one support, and be expensed for calling from personal phones. Each week you will receive a list of numbers and a little message about the person’s experience, and you may make the phone calls based on your own availability and that of the service users. Policies and procedures are in place to protect the identity of the volunteer and the discharged patient. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone that wants to get a little more hands-on.
Associate Volunteer: If you are interested in a more informal volunteering role, you might like to become a Healthwatch Associate. Associates are interested in Healthwatch Dorset's work and like to be kept up to date with information about their events and activities, as well as taking part in their surveys and consultations. You can also be part of their Readers Panel, which involves looking at leaflets and documents for various health and care agencies and making suggestions on how they can be improved. If you aren’t sure which volunteering role is right for you, becoming a Healthwatch Associate will give you a taste of their work so you can decide how you would like to get more involved in future.
If you are interested in getting involved in Healthwatch Dorset, please apply online at: https://healthwatchdorset.co.uk/volunteer/apply-online/. If you have any questions and would like to contact Healthwatch Dorset, please get in touch by email at: enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or by calling: 0300 111 0102.
Upton Country Park is the home of Upton Country House and 160 acres of parkland, shoreline and estate gardens. The park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities and tons of opportunities to get involved in. It is open all year round and is free of charge, so it provides a great space to explore the outdoors.
There are a wide range of volunteering roles available, which include both practical and learning based roles:
Interpretation and Research Volunteers: If you have a thirst for knowledge, are interested in history or the conservation of your local landscape, come and join Upton Country Park’s team of Interpretation and Research Volunteers. The role will involve using your enquiring mind, to help them complete the picture of Upton Country Park’s history, tell the stories of the families that lived and worked here and gather memories from our local community. You could also help them to record and monitor the wildlife and natural environment of the estate and uncover its natural heritage, so that Upton Country Park can protect it for future generations.
Engagement and Learning Volunteers: Upton Country Park are looking for dedicated Engagement and Learning Volunteers, to assist in the creation and delivery of their exciting new Learning Programmes. This is the perfect way to help out if you have a background in or want to gain experience of working with schools, families and community groups, both in the Country Park and out in the local area. Use your passion for imparting knowledge and have the opportunity to work on special projects and new activities, shape their learning programme and engage their visitors in the history and habitats of the estate. This role will include working around the Country Park and in schools to assist in teaching history, art and STEM subjects linked to the estate. It could also involve working with local groups and families to get them involved in events at the Country Park and active in the community.
This role will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be carried out at Upton Country Park’s expense.
Gardening and Practical Conservation Volunteers: The Gardening and Practical Conversation volunteer roles will give you a fantastic opportunity to get involved in the great outdoors and help Upton Country Park to restore and look after their grounds. The tasks will include: pruning and clearing the Walled Garden, borders and formal back lawn as well as the winter gardens near the memorial trees and Gazebo. The practical conversation roles will also involve: hedge laying, pond management and coppicing.
If you are interested in undertaking any of these roles, please click here for more information and to apply now: https://uptoncountrypark.com/volunteering/.
Beryl are renowned in the local area and across the country, for their bike share scheme. Beryl have designed the bikes to be fun, easy to use and to also help increase eco-friendly travel in towns and cities.
Beryl are currently looking for Student Brand Influencers, to help raise awareness of their bikes and to promote eco-friendly travel in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch!
In return for undertaking the role, you will receive complimentary travel on the Beryl Bikes, partner discount benefits and you will be trained in e-scooter safety! It is also a great opportunity to have on your CV and the Beryl team will provide you with a reference.
If you’re interested in joining, check out the vacancy and apply here:
https://careers.beryl.cc/jobs/1030207-student-brand-influencers!
Dorset Mind is a local charity that provides support and education about mental health and recognising the signs and symptoms. There is a range of volunteering positions available, including the position of a Dorset Mind Young Ambassador. This involves raising awareness of the Children and Young People's Programmes, fundraising and speaking out to the public about the importance of the charity.
Visit Dorset Mind’s website to discover all the vacancies that are currently available: https://dorsetmind.uk/get-involved/volunteer-for-us/.
Dimensions UK support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives. Their 7000 colleagues deliver ambitious, effective, personalised support often with those whose previous support has not been successful.
Dimensions currently have two virtual volunteering roles available, which you can find out more information about below:
Virtual Volunteer Storyteller: Do you enjoy sharing stories with others? Would you like to record stories for the people we support? Dimensions are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to create feel good storytelling videos, for the people they support to enjoy via the Dimensions Group YouTube channel! A lot of the people Dimensions support are really missing their usual activities and they would love for these videos to bring joy and entertainment. From classic short stories to poetry, or even your own original writing, Dimensions would love to hear from you! The activities will include:
- Recording at least one short video of yourself reading a short story or poem
- Following their supplied guidelines to capture good quality video
- Providing consent for your video(s) to be uploaded to the Dimensions YouTube channel
- Suggesting stories or poems that you think might be suitable and enjoyed by people with learning disabilities and/or autism
Virtual Volunteer Musician: Are you a born performer? Do you enjoy playing music for others to enjoy? A lot of the people Dimensions support really miss the experience of live music, so they are looking for talented musicians to create fun music videos for them to enjoy via their YouTube channel! From classical to pop, or even some of your own music, Dimensions would love to see and hear you play! The activities will include:
- Recording at least one short video of yourself playing a musical instrument
- Providing a short video description (eg details of the music played)
- Following our supplied guidelines to capture good quality video
A character reference and photo ID check will be required for these roles. To find out more information and to apply, please visit: https://dimensions-uk.org/get-involved/campaigns/volunteering-dimensions/.
Save The Children is a charity that supports children in the UK and across the world, by making sure they are safe and healthy. They are dedicated to providing protection and helping young children to learn and access education. See what volunteering opportunities are currently available here: https://volunteer.savethechildren.org.uk/opportunities
NSPCC are a children’s charity that provide a wide range of support and advice services for parents and children. NSPCC work to keep children safe and provide educational resources and support for families.
Visit their website to view the volunteering vacancies and help to support an important cause: https://join-us.nspcc.org.uk/volunteers/.
'Dorset Police is one of the highest performing Police Services in the United Kingdom' and aims to provide an excellent service to the Dorset community. Volunteering for Dorset Police is a great opportunity to get involved in the area and to help provide support for the community.
Click here to view the current vacancies: https://recruitment-dcp-dp.org/dorset-police-volunteers/.
Please note, some roles for Dorset Police require a minimum age of 18.
Creative Kids is a local charity that provides free and affordable art activities and aims to give all children the opportunity to discover and explore their artistic potential.
To get involved and apply to be a volunteer, visit their page here: https://creativekids.org.uk/volunteer/.
Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe (BEAF)
BEAF is Bournemouth's largest independent arts festival, which runs every year and showcases a huge range of creative performances and workshops. BEAF aims to give emerging artists the opportunity and experience to present their work to a public audience and help increase their profiles.
To find out more information on how to volunteer in the festival, visit: https://gotbeaf.co.uk/volunteers/ and email: gotbeaf@gmail.com with your interest.
Please note, the minimum age to volunteer for BEAF is 18.
Moors Valley is a country park that is based on the outskirts of Bournemouth. Situated in the heart of the forest, Moors Valley offers great opportunities to explore the outdoors and get involved in a range of activities. The country park is looked after by a team of rangers and a crew of volunteers, who also provide educational sessions for schools and groups.
Visit their page to discover the volunteering roles they have available: https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/get-involved/.
Please note, there is no public transport to Moors Valley, so own transport would be required to reach the country park.
PDSA is an animal charity that works to protect and save pets' lives, by performing serious operations, preventing disease and educating owners about animal welfare and how to look after their pets. PDSA also provide free services to the pets of people in need, to ensure that animals get the care and medical attention they need.
Click here to discover the volunteering opportunities available: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer.
Please note, the minimum age for these vacancies is 18.
Poole Enviroteers is a volunteering network that aims to encourage the community in Poole to get involved, to help look after and make a difference in their local area. Poole Enviroteers support local community groups and help to make new volunteering ideas possible!
To find out how to get involved and help make a positive impact on the local area, click here: https://pooleprojects.net/enviroteers/activities/ to view the opportunities that are currently available.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Guide Dogs is a registered charity that provides support for people with sight loss, to help them live their lives to the full. They deliver this through providing services with guide dogs or by offering advice and guidance from their team of experts.
You can visit their website here: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs, to discover the volunteering opportunities that are available.
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